Dispensing mechanism



Oct. 1-6, 1962 R. B. MOTT .ETAL

DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1958 R0406 Beam/2 Maf fiaofi Beach Mof-f, INVENTORLY AZZQHAZEVS ire The present invention relates to a dispensing mechanism.

Various devices have been proposed for supporting roll material; however, devices presently employed are highly objectionable in that the mechanisms do not prevent actuation of the devices to discharge the exposed roll from its position in the mechanism. Therefore, the exposed roll may be discharged prior to the time that it has been depleted, and new or reserve rolls exposed for use prior to the time that they are actually needed.

This is extremely wasteful, and such mechanism, by its very nature, encourages users thereof, out of curiosity and for other reasons, to manipulate the mechanism. If the exposed rolls are not retained in position until used, then the advantages of this type device are greatly reduced in that the reserve supply of roll material is more quickly used than it would otherwise normally be.

Another disadvantage with prior art devices is that the operating mechanism jams and this situation renders the mechanism completely inoperative until repaired.

The present invention relates to a dispensing mechanism for overcoming the above and other disadvantages incurred in using dispensing mechanisms.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism for roll material wherein one roll at a time may be exposed for use with other rolls supported in position in the mechanism as a reserve supply.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism for roll material wherein one roll at a time may be exposed for use with other rolls supported in position in the mechanism as a reserve supply, and additional means for locking the exposed roll in position in the mechanism until it has been depleted.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism for roll material wherein a plurality of rolls are supported in the mechanism, with one roll at a time being exposed for use, and being retained in exposed position until it is depleted or until a predetermined time.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism of relatively simple construction, wherein a plurality of rolls may be supported, said mechanism including means for positioning the rolls, whereby the material on at least one roll may be exposed, discharged or used, and additional means for retaining the exposed roll in position until the material thereon has been depleted.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 4 showing one side of the operating mechanism of the device of FIG. 1 and representing the mechanism in position where the exposed roll is locked in position;

LFIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, representing a View taken on the line 33 of FIG. 4, and showing the other side of the mechanism (which is similar to the side shown in FIG. 2) but shows the mechanism as it is being actuated for discharging a spool which has been depleted of the roll material and for guiding a new roll to position in the device, whereby the material on the exposed roll may be used;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view with the back of the housing removed and looking toward the cover of the device;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the lower portion of the mechanism illustrating a form of the means for receiving depleted rolls; t

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a form of the spool on reels for supporting a roll of material; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the cover taken on the line 88 of FIG. 6 to illustrate the details of the means for receiving spools or reels after the material has been depleted therefrom.

The present invention will be described in detail as used in connection with rolls of toilet tissue; however, it can be appreciated that the invention can be applied with equal facility to any other form of roll material of any size, including paper towels and the like.

Attention is directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein the invention is illustrated generally by the numeral 2. In the form shown in FIG. 1, a housing designated generally at 3 is provided in which the operating mechanism designated generally at 20, FIGS. 2 and 3, is supported. The housing 3 in turn may be recessed within a wall, the annular flange 4 thereon acting to abut against the wall to aid in retaining the housing 3 in position in the wall. In other situations, it may be more desirable to provide a form of housing which can be mounted on a wall or other supporting surface, and in still other situations, it may be desirable to mount the operating mechanism 20 on a supporting surface, in which event it might be desirable to eliminate all or a portion of the housing 3 and provide only a front or cover 5 on the wall for protecting the support mechanism 2.1, FIG. 3, and the rolls of material supported thereon.

The front 5 of the housing 3 is provided with an opening 6 in the lower portion thereof, which is shown as being rectangular in configuration, whereby access may be had to one of the rolls of material (designated as 23 in the drawings) positioned adjacent the window 6, whereby the material 8 forming the roll 23 can be unwound, as desired. For purposes of reference and to aid in the description, the upper end or top of the housing will be designated as 9, the back surface will be designated as 10, the bottom surface will be designated as 11, and the side surfaces will be designated as '12 and 13 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the housing form therein illustrated is used to support the operating mechanism, the top 9, the back 10, the bottom 11 and the sides 12 and 13 may be integrally formed to provide part of the housing 3, or if desired, the top 9, back 10, bottom 11 and sides 12 and 13 may be separately provided and thereafter connected together in any suitable manner as desired, to form a unitary construction. The annular flange 4 is secured in position by any suitable means such as welding or the like around the top 9, sides 12 and 13', and bottom 11, as illustrated in the drawings, and for the purpose previously described hereinabove. In the form illustrated in the drawings, the cover or front plate 5 of the housing 3 includes a top portion 5' and a bottom portion 5" which is bent out of the plane of the cover plate 5 and is provided with side plates 12' and 13' extending between the laterally extending top portion 5 and bottom portion 5" to provide an arrangement which telescopically fits over the front end of the top 9, the sides 12 and 13 and the bottom 11, as more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings. The cover plate 5 can be formed of separate portions which are thereafter connected together or, if desired, may be stamped from an integral piece of material. The cover plate 5, with the top 9, sides 12 and 13, bottom 11 and back 10 form the hollow housing 3.

The operating mechanism 20 of the present invention is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 inclusive. The mechanism 20 includes the means designated generally at 21 for supporting a plurality of rolls of material as illustrated in dotted line at 22 and 23 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and in solid line in FIG. 4 within the mechanism 20, with one of the rolls as represented at 23 being positioned adjacent the opening 6, whereby access may be had thereto for unwinding the material thereon as it is needed. The means 21 also defines a guideway designated generally at 25, whereby the reserve roll illustrated in dotted line at 22 may be guided from its position on the mechanism to a position adjacent the window 6, whereby it may then be exposed for use when needed.

Means illustrated generally at 26 lock the support and guide means designated generally at 21 so that the reserve roll 22 cannot be moved to position adjacent the window 6 until the roll 23 has been depleted. The locking mean 26 also includes means designated generally at 27 for effecting release thereof when the roll of material 23 adjacent the window 6 has been depleted, whereupon the means indicated generally at 28 may be actuated. This activates the means 21, whereby the spool or reel 60 of the depleted roll of material 23 may be discharged from its position adjacent the window 6 into the means for receiving the spool 60, illustrated generally at 30, and the reserve roll 22 simultaneously conducted from its position to active position adjacent the window 6 whereby access may be had thereto for use of the material thereon.

The support means 21 includes a pair of members 31 and 32, one of which is secured to the side 12 and the other being secured to the side 13 of the housing 3' by any suitable means. Depressions 34 stamped in each of the sides 12 and 13 of the housing 3 conform with and meet with the opposed depressions 34 stamped in each of the members 31 and 32 respectively, there being an opening 35 through the depressions 34 in the members 31 and 32, and a conforming opening in the housing 3, whereby the members 31 and 32 may be secured thereto by any suitable means.

The depressions 34 in the members 31 and 32 and the dem prcssions 34' cooperate to space the members 31 and 32' from the adjacent side of the housing for movement of spool 60 in guideway 25 as will be more fully described hereinafter. The members 31 and 32 are also spaced relative to each other according to the distance between the 1 vides a surface for aiding in guiding the spool 60 as it moves along the guideway 25. The members 31 and 32 are shown as being in the form of plates but may assume any other configuration without departing from the scope of the invention.

A second pair of members 40 and 41 are pivotally secured at 42, one to the side 12 and the other to the side 13, as more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. The pivot 42 is in an offset of each of the members 40 and 41 and in a depression 34 in the housing sides 12 and 13; it is above the top edge of the members 31 and 32 and as shown in the drawings, the members 40 and 41 are each provided with inclined portions or edges 43 and 44 respectively, adjacent their upper end which extends downwardly to the point or position 45. The portion or edge 46 of each of the plates 40 and 41 assumes the configuration as illustrated in each of FIGS. 2 and 3 and extends from the point 47, which is recessed rearwardly relative to the termination point 45 of the inclined portion or edge 43 and 44 of each of the members 40 and 41, downwardly to 48 where the edge 46 assumes a reverse bend 49 and continues on downwardly to the lower end 50 of each of the members and 41. The edge or portion 43 and 44 of each of the plates 40 and 41, as well as the circular or arcuate edge portion 46 and the edge portions 43, 49 and cooperate with the projection 33 and edge 33 of each of the members 31 and 32 to define the guideway 25. To this end, each of the members 40 and 41 is provided with a lateral projection 51 along the aforementioned edges, which is similar to projection 33 on edge 33 of the members 31 and 32. It extends from each member 40 and 41 towards the respective side of the housing adjacent the members, but is spaced therefrom since the depression 34' and offset at the pivot point 42 position each of the members 40 and 41 away from its its respective housing side a greater distance than the length of the lateral edge projection 51.

The second pair of members or plates 40 and 41 also depend downwardly in vertical planes, but are spaced rearwardly in the housing 3 relative to the members 31 and 32, whereby the edge 33 and the projection 33' thereon of each of the members 31 and 32 and the edges 44, 45, 46, 48 and 49 and projection 51 thereon form the guideways 52 and 53 which comprises the guide means designated generally by the numeral 25. The guideway 52 is on one side of the mechanism and the identically shaped guideway 53 is on the other side of the mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

From the foregoing description, it can be appreciated that the member 31 which is illustrated as being in the form of a plate, is positioned on the same side of the mechanism 20 as the member 40 which is also shown as being in the form of a plate. The member 32 is positioned on the same side of the mechanism 20 as the member 41.

The members or plates 31 and 40 are shown in FIG. 2 in their relative position when reserve roll 22 may be supported in the mechanism 20 with a roll of material as illustrated at 23 being positioned adjacent the window 6 for discharging material therefrom, as needed. Members or plates 32 and 40 would assume the same relationship at this time on the opposite side of the mechanism.

When the plates 31, 40 and the plates 32, 41 respectively are thus positioned, the spool represented generally by the numeral of the reserve roll indicated at dotted line at 22 will be positioned as shown in FIG. 2 in the drawings. When the members 31, 40 and 32, 41 are thus related, the termination 45 of the upper sloped edges 43 and 44 of each of the members 40 and 41 is arranged relative to the opposed surface 61 on the edge 33 to inhibit passage of the spool 60 into the guideway or track 52, since the portion 62 of the spool is of greater dimension than the distance from edge 45 of plates 40 and 41 to the opposite edge 61 of plates 31 and 32 respectively.

Also, the edge 46 at 48 on each of plates 40 and 41 at such time is in close proximity to the opposed edge portion 63 on the respective members 31 and 32. Therefore, the portion 62 of the spool 60 of the exposed roll 23 is thus retained in position at the window '6 so that the reel or spool 60 can rotate freely as the material is unwound therefrom, and cannot be removed from such position until the edge '46 at 43 is spaced from the edge portion 63 on members 31 and 32 sufficiently to let the spool portion 62 pass therebetween.

Means indicated generally at 28 are connected to each of the plates or members 40 and 41 to effect movement thereof at a predetermined time whereupon such plates assume a position relative to their adjacent plates 31 and 32 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, which permits a reserve roll indicated in dotted line at 22 to enter into the guide or trackways 52 and 53 and simultaneously permits the exhausted roll to move from its position adjacent the window 6. However, the locking means indicated generally at 26 retains the plates 40 and 41 in position as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, until the releasing means illustrated generally at 27 releases the locking means so that the means 28 can thereafter be utilized to effect movement of each of the plates 40 and 41 to move a reserve roll into position adjacent the window 6 of the housing 3.

The means indicated generally by the numeral 28 includes the pin 65, which projects through the opening 66 in the cover plate 5 of the housing 3. Such pin is secured to the member 67 that extends laterally across the housing and engages with the parts 68 and 29 which extend inwardly into and adjacent each side 12 and 13 respectively of the housing. The members 68 and 69 each include offset portions which extend downwardly as indicated at 70, whereby the members or parts 68 and 69 may be pivotally connected as illustrated at 71 to the members 41 and 40 respectively. Springs 65 are positioned on the inside of the cap 5 and engages cross bar 67 to urge it into engagement with members 68 and 69. A slot 72 is provided in each of the members 68 and 69, and a pin 73 is mounted on the adjacent side parts 12 and 13 of the housing 3, which pin 73 interfits in the slot 72 for guiding the movement of the members 68 and 69, when the button 65 is depressed.

To further retain each of the plates or members 40 and 41 in the relationship shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, suitable means such as the springs 75 and 76 may be provided, which springs are adapted to engage the pins 77 and 78 on each of the plates or members '41 and 40 respectively, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. The construction and arrangement of the springs 75 and 76 and their manner of abutting each of the pins 77 and 78 is such that each of the plates 40 and 41 normally assumes the position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

The locking means designated generally at 26 includes a member 80 which is positioned between the plates 40 and 41 and is pivotally supported on the pin 81 which pin is connected to, and extends between the members 40 and 41. The member 80 supports the roller or movable member 83 at its inner end, which roller is adapted to engage the periphery of the roll of material positioned adjacent the window 6, such periphery being indicated in dotted line by the numeral 84 in FIG. 2. In order to retain the roller 83 and the member 80 in continual engagement with the periphery 84 of the roll 23 as the size of the roller is gradually decreased through depletion of the material, spring means as indicated at 85 is provided. The spring 85 may be mounted on the pin 81 extending between each of the plates 40 and 41 and engages the member 80 to urge it clockwise about the rod 81. The member 80 is provided with a curved or arcuate surface 86' on its rear or outer end which is adapted to abut the pin 87 secured in each of the side plates 12 and 13 of the housing 3 and extending therebetween. The are of the curved portion 86 of member 80 is such that it is in continual engagement with the pin 87 as the member 80 rotates clockwise about the member 81.

Thus, as long as the member 80 abuts the pin 87, the button 65 cannot be depressed so as to pivot the plates 40 and 41 to permit a reserve roll to move into the guideway means 25.

Means 27 for disengaging the member 80 relative to the pin or rod 87 is provided in the form of a recess 90 in the outer end of the member 80, and when the member 80 has rotated about the pin 81 sufliciently, the recess 90 is thereby aligned with the rod 87, whereupon the member 80 can be moved laterally and rearwardly relative to the housing 3. This then permits the members 40 and 41 to be moved laterally by pressing the button 65 to move members 68 and '69 so that the reserve roll 22 can be moved into the guideway 25.

When the members or plates 40 and 41 are pivoted about 42, the edge 46 at 48 moves away from the opposed portion 63 of each of the plates 31 and 32, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, and thereby permits the exposed reel or spool, from which the material is now depleted, represented by the numeral 29 to move away from window 6. 6 and into the means indicated generally at 30 which is provided for receiving and supporting the used or depleted rolls or spools 60.

While it is believed that the operation and function of the present invention is apparent by reason of the fore going description, to further amplify and describe, it will be assumed that the present invention is to be used in dispensing toilet tissue. Two rolls of toilet tissue are illustrated in the present invention; however, it should be appreciated that the invention can be modified to accommodate additional rolls of material, as desired, without departing from the scope of the invention. Additional reserve rolls could be stocked on top of the roll 22 as desired. For the purposes of description only, and not by way of limitation, the invention will be described as applied to a situation where one roll is provided in the mechanism, ready for use, and an additional roll is retained in reserve.

The mechanism 20 may be initially charged with the two rolls represented at 22 and 23 in FIG. 4 in solid line, and in dotted line in each of FIGS. 2 and 3 at 22 and 23 by removing the cap 5 from its position. In order to retain the cap 5 in position on the housing, suitable means such as the screw 94 may be provided for engaging through the cap 5 and the housing and when this screw 94 is removed, the housing 5 may be pivoted downwardly as illustrated in I IG. 6 of the drawings. If desired, the cap 5 may be pivotally mounted as illustrated at 95 by suitable means such as a hinge on the bottom 11 of the device, so that when the cap is swung outwardly, it still will be retained on the housing for ease of replacement thereon.

Since there are initially no rolls of material in the device, the member 89 assumes the position shown in FIG. 3 which permits actuation of each of the plates 48 and 41 by members 68 and 69 so that initially the roll 23 can be inserted in the mechanism 20 and will fall into the guideway 25 against the roller 83. The members 68 and 69 or plates 40 and 41 may be manually pulled forwardly relative to the rear portion 10 of the housing 3 so that the member is disconnected from the pin 87. The springs 75 and 76 also urge the members 40 and '41 so as to move the member 88 forwardly to disengage the rod 87 from recess 90. When the pin 87'is out of the recess 90, the roll 23 will thereupon cause the member 80 to rotate counterclockwise to assume the position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Thereupon, the reserve roll 22 can be inserted in the mechanism and because of the relationship of the edge 45 of each member 49 and 41 relative to the opposed portion 61 of the edge 33 of each of the members 31 and 32, the reserve roll will be retained in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

The exposed roll 23 is freely rotatable in its position as shown in FIG. 2 so that the material thereon can, be easily grasped and unwound as desired, and the edge 46 by its relationship to opposed edge portion 63 of the members 31 and 32 retains the exposed roll in such position. As the material thereon is used, the diameter of the roll becomes smaller and, accordingly, the roller 83 and the member 80 move clockwise, since the spring urges the member 80 into continual contact with the periphery 84 of roll 23. When the recess 98 in member 80 becomes aligned relative to the pin 87, the roll of material will have been dissipated, which will then permit the button 65 to be depressed so as to move the plates 40 and 41, whereupon the reserve spool 60 can move from its supported position on the mechanism 20 into the guideway 25 and simultaneously, the used spool 60 can move into the receiving means indicated generally at 30. The springs 75 and 76 snap the members 40 and 41 to their original position as soon as the portion 62 of the spool 60 has cleared the point 45 so that such spool will fall automatically into position adjacent the window 6 of the housing 3.

From the foregoing description, it can be appreciated that the present invention provides a device wherein reserve rolls of material are supported in the mechanism 26 and are retained therein until the exposed roll positioned adjacent the window 6 has been completely depleted. This prevents tampering with the device and prevents premature release of the reserve roll before the exposed roll has been completely depleted.

The receiving means 39 may be of any suitable form and is illustrated as being in the form of a plate 97 secured on each side and at the lower end of the cover plate 5. The plate 97 includes the laterally offset portion 98 and the portion 98' to define the space 99 in which the enlarged end 100 of the spool 60 may be received.

Particular attention is directed to the spool 60 illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings, wherein the main body member 60 is provided for receiving the roll of material directly thereon. The smaller portion 62 at the end of the spool is connected to an adjacent enlarged end 100. The enlarged ends 100 cooperate with the adjacent portions 62 and with the end 60 of the main body portion 60' to guide the rolls of material within the trackways 52 and 53 to proper seating position.

Under some circumstances, it may be desirable to mount the mechanism within a wall recess and eliminate the housing 3, except for the cover 5.

Broadly the present invention relates to a dispensing mechanism and more particularly to a dispensing mechanism for supporting a plurality of rolls of material, wherein one roll is exposed for use of the material on the exposed roll, and the reserve rolls are supported and locked against release until the exposed roll has been completely depleted.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispensing device for supporting rolls of material including a housing, there being an opening in said housing, a spool extending through each of said rolls, support means in said housing for supporting each of said spools and the rolls of material thereon, with one of the rolls adjacent the opening for access to the material on the roll, additional means for preventing movement of the roll of material adjacent the opening away from such opening until after the material thereon has been depleted, and receiving means below said support means and within said housing for receiving the depleted spool to prevent removal of the spool after the roll of material is depleted.

2. A dispensing device for roll material including a housing, there being an opening in said housing, means for supporting a plurality of rolls in said housing with one roll at a time exposed at said opening, said means defining a guideway whereby additional rolls may be guided to position in said housing to be exposed at said opening, and additional means locking said supporting means against premature releasing of additional rolls to be exposed at said opening, until the exposed roll has been depleted.

3. A dispensing mechanism for roll material including, means to support a plurality of rolls whereby one roll at a time is exposed for use of the material thereon, means for locking said suport means for the exposed roll to prevent premature release of the exposed roll prior to the substantial depletion of the material thereon, and additional means for releasing said locking means when the exposed roll is depleted.

4. A dispensing mechanism for roll material including, means to support a plurality of rolls whereby one roll at a time is exposed for use of the material thereon, said means including a first pair of fixed members, spaced relative to each other and depending downwardly in substantially vertical planes, a second pair of pivotally mounted members spaced relative to each other and depending downwardly in substantially vertical planes, said second pair of members extending upwardly above and being spaced laterally fromsaid first pair of members to define a guideway therebetween whereby the roll material may be guided therealong and exposed for use, said first and second pair of members cooperating to support roll material at their upper end adjacent said guideway, and additional means for locking said second pair of members against pivotal movement to prevent movement of the roll material along said guideway.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 including means to release said locking means when the exposed roll in said guideway is depleted.

6. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said last named means includes, a member pivotally mounted between said second pair of members adjacent the lower end thereof, spring means engaging said member and urging said member against the roll member in said guideway which is exposed for use and maintaining said member in engagement with said roll as it is used, and means mounted laterally and rearwardly of said second members and abutting an end of said spring urged member to thereby prevent pivotal movement of said second member as said spring loaded member remains in engagement with the roll of material.

7. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said last named means includes, a member pivotally mounted between said second pair of members adjacent the lower end thereof, spring means engaging said member and urging said member against the roll member in said guideway which is exposed for use and maintaining said member in engagement with said roll as it is used, means mounted laterally and rearwardly of said second members and abutting an end of said spring urged member to thereby prevent pivotal movement of said second member as said spring loaded member remains in engagement with the roll of material, and a recess in said spring loaded member for aligning with said last named means when the roll material has been depleted whereby said spring loaded member and said second pair of members may be moved laterally to discharge the depleted roll of material from the guideway and to conduct a fresh roll of material to exposed position in the mechanism.

8. The combination recited in claim 4 including means to release said locking means when the exposed roll in said guideway is depleted, and additional means engaged with said second pair of members and for moving said second pair of members after said release means has been actuated.

9. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said last named means includes, a member pivotally mounted between said second pair of members adjacent the lower end thereof, spring means engaging said member and urging said member against the roll member in said guideway which is exposed for use and maintaining said member in engagement with said roll as it is used, means mounted laterally and rearwardly of said second members and abutting an end of said spring urged member to thereby prevent pivotal movement of said second member as said spring loaded member remains in engagement with the roll of material and a recess in said spring loaded member for aligning with said last named means when the roll material has been depleted whereby said spring loaded member and said second pair of members may be moved laterally, and means engaged with said second pair of members for moving said second pair of members whereby the depleted roll may be discharged from said guideway and a new roll positioned in said guideway for use.

10. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said last named means includes, a member pivotally mounted between said second pair of members adjacent the lower end thereof, spring means engaging said member and urging said member against the roll member in said guideway which is exposed for use and maintaining said member in engagement with said roll as it is used, means mounted laterally and rearwardly of said second members and abutting an end of said spring urged member to thereby prevent pivotal movement of said second mem- 9 her as said spring loaded member remains in engagement with the roll of material and a recess in said spring loaded member for aligning with said last named means when the roll material has been depleted whereby said spring loaded member and said second pair of members may be moved laterally, means engaged with said second pair of members for moving said second pair of members whereby the depleted roll may be discharged from said guideway and a new roll positioned in said guide- Way for use, and additional means for receiving and supporting depleted rolls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

